THE DEMAND FOR MEN

Evening Star, Issue 15916, 23 September 1915, Page 6

THE DEMAND FOR MEN

REINFORCEMENTS WANTED EARLY. TRAINING ACCELERATED. RECRUITING MUST BE STIMULATED. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, September 23. The Hod. J. Allen, Minister of Defence, stated in the House of Representslives yesterday afternoon that as the casualties had been very heavy at Gallipoli during the last few weeks the Imperial Council had asked the New Zealand Government if it were possible to send our reinforcements earlier than was intended in the ordinary course of things. New Zealand, explained the Minister, would he able by bringing back the transports rather more rapidly to expedite the departure of the Eighth and Ninth Reinforcements. These two bodies would be sent from New Zealand about six weeks earlier than was intended. That would mean that these men would have to exercise all their ingenuity to get ready to go. He also wanted to say that this alteration would only apply to the Eighth and Ninth Reinforcements. The departure of the subsequent reinforcements would, of course, bo brought forward six weeks. The eighth would sail early in November, and the ninth in the middle of January instead of December and February respectively. The seventh would go at the usual time, because the transports could not be got back in time. They would sail in about three weeks’ time.

—More Infantry Required.— A very large number of men, the Minadded, would be coming into camp in November. So far as the present registration was concerned there were barely sufficient men registered in the Dominion for the Ninth Reinforcements and the two new battalions being called up. The registration was good, but barely sufficient as far as the infantry was concerned. It meant the calling up of 4,000 men for November, and it was anticipated that there would he some difficulty as far as the Tenth Reinforcements were concerned ; and he asked the members and the public to stimulate recruiting as much as possible. He did not know whether platform work would be necessary, but ho hoped that it would not. THREE MONTHS' TRAINING. The decision to send reinforcements away earlier than was intended means that the Eighth Reinforcements, who went into camp last month, will only receive 12 or 13 weeks’ training instead of 18 weeks. It is believed by the military authorities that this speeding up of the training and departure will not detrimentally affect the efficiency of the soldiers. Although discipline is essential, and can only be established by a vigorous course of training, it is not absolutely necessary, it has been stated by experts, to drill men to the present high standard of company training. Modern warfare, which is largely confined to trench fighting, demands efficiency in musketry and bayonet fighting, and ability to dig skilfully and rapidly. All reinforcements will be thoroughly trained in these essential requirements, and the authorities confidently believe that the men who volunteer for active service will strive with that enthusiasm and eagerness which has characterised our army since the outbreak of war to acquire military knowledge and fighting efficiency as quickly as possible. The men at Gallipoli need to bo “spelled” and supported, and each draft of reinforcements will bo welcomed eagerly. It is interesting to note that a few days after the departure of the Seventh Reinforcements next month, there will be no fewer than 11,000 men in training, and no immediate prospect of an end to the need for men and still more men. IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENTS. 6,000 MEN NEXT MONTH. THE DISTRICT QUOTAS. The Ninth Reinforcements, the 3rd and 4th Battalions, Trentham Rifle Brigade, the Third Reinforcements of the Trentham Regiment, and the officers and n.c.o.s _ for the Tenth Reinforcements, who will go into camp next month, will comprise close upon 6,000 men. The levy upon the different districts is being made upon the number of recruits passed as fit waiting their turn in each district. Upon this basis the percentages for the various terms to be supplied by the Auckland. Wellington, Canterbury. and Otago districts have been fixed as follows:

Unit. Auckland. CanterOtago. ton. bury. Mounted Rifles ... 21.27 37.19 26.70 14.74 3rd and 4th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. and Infantry for Ninth Reinforcements ... 28.80 36.57 22.81 11.02 Field .Artillery .. ... 20.78 44.98 19.17 15.07 Field Engineers ... 36.24 40,60 14.76 8.40 Signal Service ... 35.19 44.44 16.67 3.70 Army Service Corps ... 41.70 35.45 13.80 9.05 The infantry requires the greatest mi inber of men (4,500). The quotas called up from the various districts for the Eighth Reinforcements, now in camp, were as under: — Mounted Rifles ... 18.62 48.97 19.20 13.13 Infantry ... 26.57 47.53 13.61 12.29 Field Artillery ... 25.10 42.18 19.88 12.84 Field Engineers ... 40.10 35.74 14.80 9.36 Signal Service A.S.O ... 46.34 36.59 12.19 4.88 ... 42.31 36.61 13.46 10.62 Ambulance ... 36.14 39.30 12.98 11.58 Veterinary ... ... 56.25 12.50 18.75 12.50